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Fire Update September 8, 2017

September 08, 2017Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. Very little change in temperatures and humidities through the weekend. Slight chance for afternoon/early evening showers and thunderstorms for the next several days. A slight warming trend will begin Sunday.

The Railroad Fire (located outside the park along Highway 41 between Fish Camp and Sugar Pine) is 12,141 acres and 50% contained with 1,045 personnel.Cooler temperatures and higher humidity overnight kept fire activity minimal. Today fire crews will continue to extinguish hot spots along the perimeter of the fire on the west and north flanks, holding on the north side at Rainier Creek. The fire remains active on the east side. Burning operations intended to improve the defense of the community of Cedar Valley have continued successfully. Bulldozers are creating a fire break on the northeast side of the fire around Big Sandy and above Speckerman Mountain.Highway 41 is expected to have a full open on Saturday, September 9 at 5 pm.

For more information visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5553/.

Rattlesnake

Fire started due to an RV catching fire and spreading north into the vegetation. Fire is burning in the old Big Meadow burn scar which helped limit its spread.. Crews and aircraft were able to attack the fire and hold it to 16 aces. Crews will continue to mop up hot spots and secure lines today.

South Fork

Fire remains quiet near the community of Wawona. The most activity yesterday was on the east flank burning into the wilderness through scattered pockets of dense fuel and the south flank backing into the South Fork of the Merced. There was an increase in acreage due to more accurate mapping. Very little change in temperatures and humidities through the weekend. Slight chance for afternoon/early evening showers and thunderstorms for the next several days. A slight warming trend will begin Sunday.

The northern spot fire remains south of handline at Turner meadow, crews brought fire down to Chilnualna Creek to secure the spot fire with the main fire. Patrols continue along portions of the fire closest to Wawona. There may be some burning well interior and visible smoke with increased winds due to the storms. Bucket work may be continued on the southern boundary of the fire. Both spot fires south of the South Fork of the Merced drainage were contained and secured with hose lays and handlines. Sections of the north flank and the entire east flank are continuing to burn in the wilderness, and will be monitored by aircraft due to steep and rugged terrain. As fire burns into the high country wilderness it will burn actively through pockets of dense vegetation but will then slow down as it progresses into sparse vegetation and natural granite barriers limiting smoke production. This high country wilderness area has minimal values at risk.

Empire

Fire activity was minimal yesterday. Glacier Point Road is open. Signage and traffic control will be in place to mitigate smoke and other hazards on the road; there is a potential for implementing temporary road closures or single lane convoys from Bridalveil Camp Ground to Mono Meadow trailhead. Very little change in temperatures and humidities through the weekend. Slight chance for afternoon/early evening showers and thunderstorms for the next several days. A slight warming trend will begin Sunday.

Fire crews are implementing a perimeter control strategy for the north, west, and southern flanks of the fire to protect Bridalveil Campground, Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, Yosemite West subdivision, Wawona Road (Highway 41), and Glacier Point road. The north end of the fire is in monitor status, the west and south flanks of the fire are contained and holding. Areas of new smoke may be seen as the fire cleans up areas of unburned fuel interior. Fire management personnel are implementing this strategy on three sides of the fire to minimize further smoke production in heavy fuels. The east flank is being allowed to move towards the Illilouette basin to continue to enhance forest resiliency in a fire adapted ecosystem

Yosemite National Park has managed fire in this wilderness area for decades. This high country wilderness area is very steep and rugged with numerous natural barriers and minimal values at risk.

Dispersion will start to degrade today, and smoke impacts may worsen in the morning tomorrow, depending on proximity to fires. This is because transport winds are turning from SSW to light SSE, and spreading newly produced smoke to the north and west of the Empire, South Fork, and Railroad fires. Afternoon/evening clearing near the Railroad fire is still likely, if the clouds stay away, but may be limited if they don’t.